Genevieve nodded. “In a time when people believed the gods actually inhabited these stone images, it would have been daunting to say the least.” It was hard not to appreciate the artistry it had taken to create the beautiful interior as well as it's meaning, even if she did have to leave it. Excusing herself from the men, she left quickly, saying she had to attend to some personal needs. She only hoped her reason would allow her some privacy.
Climbing back through the entrance, she carefully picked her way down the hill until she stood in front of the pile of stones she’d found earlier. Though not obvious in their arrangement, she could tell they had been placed so that they pointed toward the smaller temple.
Following their direction, she soon found herself before the large statues of Ramesses and his wife Nefertari that adorned the front of the Temple of Hathor.
The two standing statues of Nefertari were flanked on either side by images of her husband Ramesses. She wore the double plume headdress of Amun with the horns of fertility around a large disk. Genevieve considered the round disk for a moment. It had become something of an enigma, its true meaning having been lost to the passage of time.
The debris from the river was not as prominent in front of the lesser temple. A few of the stairs leading to the entrance were actually visible. She climbed them until she stood beneath the giant doorframe. The late afternoon sun was partially obscured by the cliff face above. It was nearly impossible, standing in the bright sunlight, to see very far into the dim interior.
At her feet, lay another pile of stones arranged in such fashion that could only have been done by one person. She stepped forward entering the darkened temple.
~*~
As soon as Genevieve left, Samuel stopped sketching and looked over at Alec who was still staring after her. “Tell me… Have you completely lost your mind or is there something I missed?”
“What do you mean?” Alec, surprised by the question, turned around.
“You haven’t been exactly subtle.” Samuel replied sarcastically.
Alec gave him a raised brow, “Oh… that.”
“Is this about the treasure?” Samuel asked blatantly. “Or are you just trying to bed her?”
“No, on both counts.”
“Then what the hell are you doing?” Samuel demanded.
“Keeping my wife,” Alec informed him.
“What…?” shocked, Samuel stared at him for a moment. “Why?”
“Why not—”
“I can think of several reasons.” Samuel interrupted him, “Your mother for one.”
“That’s the beauty of it. I will no longer be pressured to marry because you, my friend, have already solved my problem.”
“Now, don’t blame this on me.” Samuel put his hands up as if he could ward off the implication. “I only did it because I knew you could get out of it.”
“Well,” Alec smiled, “I’ve recently decided that I don’t want out of it.”
“Are you insane?” Samuel couldn’t believe his ears. “You must be, to even consider it. You’ve only known Genevieve for two days. It took you three years to decide to get a dog. Just think of the scandal.”
“You’re the one who’s always saying I should stop planning and live with passion.” Alec pointed out, “Something about my clock being wound too tight.”
“Would you listen to yourself, for God’s sake man,” Samuel threw his hands up again, this time in frustration. “I was talking about a bloody holiday not a lifetime commitment!” He looked at Alec as though he was half crazed.
“You're right…” Alec nodded. Samuel looked somewhat relieved that he was at least listening, until he continued. “I have not been one to rush up the aisle. But, I’ve never known a woman who makes me feel the way I do when I’m with Genevieve.” Alec paused considering. “She makes me feel alive.”
“Bloody Hell! You’re serious aren’t you?” Samuel groaned, as Alec turned and started walking away from him. “Perhaps, you should consider getting another puppy first.”
Alec ignored him as he continued to climb over the debris at the entrance to the temple.
“Think man!” Samuel called after him. “At least wait a whole week to decide?” Samuel watched him leave. “Of all the stupid…” he muttered. “The fool has gone and done it this time.” He turned back around shaking his head in disgust. Looking up, he was surprised to see the hieroglyph right over the archway of the room he’d been drawing. Two lions facing outward with a disk in between them had been carved in the center over the door. “Well I’ll be damned.”
Chapter 11
Genevieve paused in the doorway of the temple waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Slowly she moved forward into the room, whispering into the darkness, “Mother?”
A woman came forward from the interior of the temple, her black robes blended into the darkness around her. “Thank God.” She whispered, hugging her daughter in a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry, I would never have gone to help deliver Tara’s baby if I’d known Sheik Kazirrah would do this. I came as soon as I learned.”
Pulling away, she looked at her with compassion filled eyes. “Are you all right?” Her brow creased with concern. “It’s been pure agony to think what you might have been forced to endure.” She cast her eyes to the door and led her daughter further inside for privacy.
“I’m fine Momma,” Genevieve followed behind, “Really.” Her mother looked weary. Genevieve realized she must have ridden all night to beat them here.
“They didn’t hurt you did they?” Her mother asked uneasily, looking as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
Genevieve smiled reassuringly, aware of what her mother was really asking. “No Momma, they have been perfect gentlemen.” Her mother looked unconvinced. “Really, I’m fine,” Genevieve reassured her.
Her mother crushed her to her again in a tight hug. Now that she knew Genevieve was safe, her calm demeanor was starting to crack. “Please forgive me for leaving you alone.”
“Momma, I’m all right. I’m not a child—.”
“Genevieve?” Alec called from the doorway. He’d watched from the hill as she’d entered the smaller temple, surprised that she would go inside alone, especially since he’d thought her skittish about exploring.
Her safety wasn’t the only thing that had been on his mind when he’d decided to follow her, however. His mind had been full of ways to woo his wife as he’d approached the temple.
The last thing he expected to hear were voices coming from inside. Concerned when she didn’t answer, he called again. “Genevieve, are you all right?” His hand went instinctively to the pummel of his revolver.
“Yes Alec, I’m fine… just a minute.” Genevieve spoke up, trying to keep him from entering. It was useless. Alec slipped the pistol from the gun belt he wore as he entered the darkened temple. She was about to go to him when her mother put a hand out to stop her. She turned back to her. “It’s all right, Momma.”
“No Genevieve, there is more to this situation than you’re aware.” Her mother whispered cautiously.
As he approached them, Alec seemed quite surprised to see an older version of Genevieve standing beside her. He looked toward his wife for an explanation.
“Alec, this is my mother, Lady Sophia—” Genevieve began.
“That’s close enough,” interrupted a deep voice from behind Alec as a sharp blade was pressed against his back.
Alec had been hoping he’d never have to hear that particular voice again. He slowly raised his hands and looked over his shoulder to see the leader of the Sheik’s guards standing there; his black attire silhouetted in the light from the entrance. Alec silently berated himself for letting his guard down. Damn it! He’d walked right into the man’s trap… again.
The blackguard must have been standing beside the door when he entered, and if that weren’t enough to irritate him, the bastard could now speak perfect English. How things could have been different if he’d only known that lit
tle fact.
Alec decided to ignore the man and greet his new mother-in-law instead. “Lady Sophia,” he replied with all the genteel mannerisms he could muster. Bowing his head in acknowledgment, he introduced himself, “Lord Alecsian Rothchild Brighton, the Third.” He found himself wondering if he’d feel the steel of the Blackbirds sword before he was finished, “I am delighted to make your acquaintance.”
The leader of the blackbird’s spoke up in response to his introduction. “You have something that doesn’t belong to you.”
Alec assumed that he’d been correct in thinking the man’s hostilities stemmed from an interrupted love match. “Yes, well. As you will remember your Sheik married her to me.” It was ironic to think that he’d have handed over Genevieve without a thought two days ago. Now the man would have a fight on his hands Alec decided.
“The map,” the warrior clarified. “Where is it?”
“Right here,” Samuel stood in the doorway, waving a pistol in his hand. “But I think you’re mistaken, I believe we’ll be keeping the map.”
Unfortunately for Samuel, another figure emerged from behind him as he spoke, pressing a knifepoint in his back. “Or not...” Samuel finished in response.
The warrior was quick to take the pistol from Alec’s hand when the balance of power shifted back to him. He stepped back to Samuel relieving him of his weapon as well. Standing next to him the warrior pointed the gun he’d just taken at his midsection. “Where is it?”
The silence became positively lethal when none answered.
“It's in his left boot,” Genevieve spoke up.
Her mother, Alec and Samuel all looked at her as though she had just betrayed them. Her mother, especially, seemed surprised that she knew of the map. There was obviously going to be a lot of explaining to do.
“I should have killed you both when I first encountered you.” The warrior threatened.
“You will not harm them,” Genevieve called out to the menacing warrior. She turned, appealing to her mother in a low voice. “Mother, please… I don’t think they know what they have.”
Sophia did not appear to be swayed as she spoke to the men. “The map is stolen property. You will return it to its rightful owner.” With that she nodded to the guard who unsheathed his curved sword. The unspoken threat was still ringing in the air when Sophia issued an ultimatum. “Give him the map and you may leave with your lives.”
Samuel looked over to Alec who nodded. With agonizingly slow movements Samuel bent over and retrieved the map from his boot, sighing in defeat he handed it over to the man.
The warrior opened the parchment and looked it over, then nodded toward Sophia. He then motioned for Samuel to be brought forward. The man with the knife prodded Samuel in the back, shoving him.
“Mother this is not necessary.” Genevieve insisted.
“Sorry ol’ chap,” Samuel gave Alec a look of exasperation as he joined him. “I botched that rescue,” he shook his head with regret. He had thought to save Alec from himself before he did something irrational not to mention irreversible. He’d never imagined it would turn out like this when he decided to follow the love-struck fool.
Samuel turned to see his unidentified assailant. “Well, well… would you look here.” Surprise flashed across his face as he recognized the man in black. “Alec… It’s our long lost Dragoman, who stole our water and left us for dead. Come back to finish the job, did ye?”
Alec’s expression was one of annoyance, “Don’t encourage him.” Afraid that the difficult spot they found themselves in could quickly escalate, the muscle in his jaw clenched. The last thing he wanted to do was have a fight with the warrior and his henchman in front of Genevieve and her mother. “This can all be easily solved,” he quickly tried to assuage the mounting tension.
“The map is yours,” Alec directed his words to Lady Sophia. “I give it to you gladly.” Of course the fact that they already had it was a moot point. “I was unaware of its history.” He motioned innocently with his hands. “Please, let us handle this like civilized people.”
“If we weren’t civilized young man, you’d already be dead.” Sophia stated using a crisp, English accent. “Who sent you?”
“Sent?” Alec asked mystified. Genevieve’s mother certainly had a way about her which brooked no defiance. He really wished he knew what she wanted or how to answer this without bloodshed.
“Who is behind this?” Sophia added for clarity.
“I— am.” Alec wondered what kind of reaction the admission would create.
“Who gave you the map?” Sophia’s voice was sharp as she pinned him to the spot with her gaze.
Alec groaned inwardly, apparently that wasn’t what she wanted to hear. His future relations with his mother-in-law weren’t looking up. “I won it in a card game back in England.”
“At White’s?”
“No,” Alec answered, a little uncomfortable at having to admit he’d been in one of London’s questionable gaming hells. Not something one wants to admit to one’s mother-in-law.
“Then where?”
She was ruthless, he realized, he’d have to confess. “At the Boar’s Head,” he cleared his throat. “It’s—”
“I know what it is.” She looked unimpressed.
Alec groaned inwardly. No doubt she thought him a gambling womanizer, and a thieving treasure seeker. They were definitely off to a great start.
“And whom may I asked placed it among the winnings?”
“A Frenchman by the name of Monsieur Blanoiś,” Alec was unsure of the man he’d met at the tavern. It wasn’t the type of place known for keeping records of their patrons. He decided to keep the news of his untimely death to himself for now.
“Who else was at the table?” Sophia continued her interrogate of him.
“There were four others. Lord’s Bristol and I think the other’s name was Crampton or Campton.”
“You said four.”
“There was an older gentleman at the table. I don’t recall his name.” She looked as though she wanted more information anyway. He couldn’t very well call him, the Ol' Codger, as Samuel was fond of addressing him. Alec thought about what he could remember. “Silver hair, clean shaven, he tied his cravat in the old fashioned way… wore a signet ring on his left pinkie.” Alec relayed, grasping at anything to satisfy her.
“Lord Langston?”
The name she spoke surprised him. “Why, yes. I believe that was it.” Alec nodded, having a few questions of his own now. It was doubtful she’d answer any. He watched her carefully as she continued her assessment of him. He felt lacking under her scrutiny and actually breathed a sigh of relief when she finally spoke.
“Thank you.” With finality she turned her attention on the blackguard. “Akeim, we have what we’ve come for. Let’s leave these men to find their way home.”
“Mother,” Genevieve stopped her. “I— I’m not going back.”
“We can discuss this at another time.” Sophia replied sternly.
“No—we’re going to discuss it now.” Genevieve had never spoken against her mother before now. “I refuse to go back,” she straightened her back, standing tall. “There is nothing for me there.”
“Genevieve, I cannot keep you safe in England.”
“Safe?” Disbelief registered across Genevieve’s features. “Can’t you see that I’m not safe here? What am I supposed to do? Wait to be foisted off on the next lost lord who happens by?”
“Ouch,” Samuel said to the side in reference to Alec being a lost lord.
“Even if I had to get married in order to leave, it was preferable to living out my life out here in the desert?” Genevieve implored her mother.
“I didn’t come all this way to leave you here Genevieve.” Her mother stated firmly. “Nothing’s been done that can’t be undone.”
“I’ll not sacrifice—”
Her mother cut her off. “You’re not the only one who’s made sacrifices Genevieve. I too had to wed in or
der to be here.”
Startled by the news, Genevieve glanced over at Akeim who looked to be mildly uncomfortable at the revelation. “You’re jesting?” She turned back to her mother.
“No, I’m not.” Sophia’s tone was one of frustration.
“Ooh, that’s a shame,” Samuel smiled at Akeim’s expense. The man gave him a black stare meant to silence.
Both ladies looked over at the audience they had to this private conversation. Sophia added her next comment in a language she hoped none of the men would understand.
Samuel raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Oh-oh, that’s not a good sign.” He couldn’t help but grin as both men gave him a silent response meant to shut him up.
“And to think, here I was envying your wedded bliss.” Samuel clapped Alec on the shoulder. He received another scorching look. He found this even more amusing and chuckled in response, enjoying himself immensely at their benefit.
Sophia, still speaking in another language said, “I will speak to the Sheik when we return, he will never dare do such a thing again. I promise.”
“Nein!” Genevieve shook her head. There was no way she was going to live out the rest of her life in the desert. Desperate, she did what she never thought she would do to her mother… she lied. “Would you let your grandchild grow up without its father?”
Sophia looked suspicious despite Genevieve’s mask of innocence. “I thought you said he’d been a gentleman?” She glared at the man who dared to have deflowered her child.
Genevieve gave him a scant glance before committing him to her mother’s wrath. She hoped she wouldn’t kill him for her lie. She said a little prayer before she fibbed again… “He was a gentleman… a married gentleman.”
Responding to the ladies glances, Samuel said. “Oh-oh, that certainly doesn’t look good. Why Alec, if looks could kill, I do believe you’d be dead.”
“Like I said… don’t encourage them.” Alec commented dryly, feeling as though he could use a little air. It seemed that the tables had finally turned. Samuel could not understand what they were saying whereas Alec, whose Swiss grandmother had taught him to speak her native tongue, was finally in the loop for a change. This meant Samuel hadn’t a clue as to how close he’d actually come to the truth.
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